John Lurie originally wanted to use his friend Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea for the episode filmed in Costa Rica instead of actor Matt Dillon. But the Japanese producers that financed the series pressured Lurie into using Dillon because he was a bigger name celebrity. According to the audio commentary on the Criterion DVD, Lurie had only met Dillon once or twice before filming which explains why they are not as talkative with each other as Lurie is with the other guests.
Tom Waits was so displeased with his experience filming his episode he didn't speak to John Lurie for two years afterwards.
This mini-series is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #42.